Inspired by their skipper on Thursday night, Manchester United booked their Europa League quarter-final ticket as they stormed their way to a 4-1 romp against Real Sociedad.
However, facing what was always going to be a season-defining showdown at Old Trafford, the Spanish outfit silenced the home support after just 10 minutes as Mikel Oyarzabal slotted home from the penalty spot.
Thankfully for Ruben Amorim’s side, Bruno Fernandes notched the first of his trio of strikes just six minuets after Sociedad’s opener as United’s skipper converted his own spot-kick.
It was remarkably the third penalty of the night that helped United get their noses ahead as their skipper once again kept his cool from the spot and moved United firmly into the driving seat.
Things got even worse for Sociedad as second-half substitute Jon Aramburu was shown a straight red card after hauling down Patrick Dorgu who had a clear run at goal with just under half hour left on the clock.
Fernandes completed his second hat-trick for the club with a low finish across goal and into the far corner before fellow Portugal international Diogo Dalot drilled home a fourth in stoppage time.
On a night when Manchester United booked their spot in the Europa League’s final eight, we have taken a look the key talking points fro, Old Trafford.
Amorim gets the performance he was dreaming of
Coming under even more scrutiny earlier in the month as they watched their FA Cup adventure come to an end at home against Fulham, it is no secret that Manchester United have placed all of their eggs in the Europa League basket.
Opening Thursday’s second-leg have collected just a sole victory from any of their previous six appearances across all competitions, Amorim’s side were more than aware that they faced a season-defining battle here.
Firmly stuck in the bottom-half of the Premier League table and breaking a string of unwanted records this season, the Reds know that European success will be their only chance of papering over some of the glaring cracks.
However, although United might have remarkably failed to muster a single clean sheet at Old Trafford since a 4-0 victory against Everton on December 1st, they undoubtably impressed here.
Putting in what was arguably the best performance under Amorim’s guidance, United must find a way to use this display as a platform to build on over the final couple of months.
Who else but Bruno?
While Manchester United might have drastically failed to find any kind of fluidity since Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford, their talismanic skipper has certainly been one of a few positives.
In fact, with the former Premier League champions often having the feel of a sinking ship over the past few years, the Portuguese playmaker has remainder the one constant in the red half of Manchester.
Knowing that they faced a season-defining showdown when they returned to Old Trafford on Thursday night, it is hardly a surprise that is was United’s MVP who dragged them over the finishing line.
Notching what was a sensational Europa League hat-trick here and receiving a standing ovation from the home support, Fernandes is certainly relishing his role as Amorim’s leading superstar.
Putting Sociedad to the sword here and now notching six goals in as many appearances across all competitions, the former Sporting Lisbon starlet will have to be at his tantalising best if United are to spring a major Europa League upset this season.
Issues on the road continue to haunt Sociedad
Despite failing to collect a first-leg advantage in the Basque County last week, some in Sociedad’s camp travelled to Manchester on Thursday night smelling the chance to collect a heavyweight Europa League scalp.
However, only just clinging onto their spot in the top-half of the La Liga standings thanks to their goal difference, Imanol Alguacil has found some mounting pressure on his shoulders.
Failing to find any kind of momentum last weekend as they slumped to a 1-0 loss at home against Sevilla, Sociedad have lost four of their previous five appearances across all competitions and were dominated for large spells here.
With the feel of a squad limping their way over the finishing line, Thursday’s guests have also gained a reputation for their glaring issues away from the Reale Arena.
Including a 4-0 drumming at the hands of Barcelona on March 2nd, Sociedad have lost six of their last seven showdowns outside the Basque Country.
Match Report
Manchester United: Onana, Mazraoui, de Ligt, Heaven, Dalot, Dorgu, Casemiro, Fernandes, Zirkzee, Garnacho, Hojlund
Subs: Collyer, Eriksen
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Elustondo, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Munoz, Mendez, Zubimendi, Marin, Becker, Kubo, Oyarzabal
Subs: Barrenetxea, Aramburu
Goals: Manchester United: (Fernandes 16’ P, 50’ P, 87’), Dalot (90+1’) – Real Sociedad: Oyarzabal (10’P)
Yellow Cards: Manchester United: de Ligt, Collyer – Real Sociedad: Barrenetxea, Oyarzabal, Zubimendi, Zubeldia, Aguerd
Red Cards: Aramburu (63’)
Referee: Benoit Bastien
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